Morning journal and courier., 1887-05-26

the wall, for the Prince of Wales refresh-
 ments. His own servant, in red livery, stood there against the wall all the evening ready to respond to the slightest gesture of
 his master This little square where the
 prince sat was filled up soon after his arrival
 by prominent and distinguished men. The Lord Chamberlain, who is never far away from the Prince of Wales, sat at his left, and
 MT. Wilson upon his right. No one of the
 dignitaries inside the square spoke to the
 Prince of Wales unless he first addressed
 them. Everyone present appeared to follow
 the movements of the bored prince with as
 much interest as if he had never seen him
 before. When he drank brandy and water
 a great thirst seized upon everyone present.
 He at first smoked 8 black, large cigar. Then
 everyone smoked cigar. I did not see then
 a single cigarette or a pipe. Later in the
 evening the prince began smoking cigarettes.
 Then cigarettes blossomed all through the
 hall like flakes of snow. It was also observed
 that the Prince of Wales wore no watch chain
 on his waistcoat. During the evening con
 spicueus watch-chains mysteriously disap-
 peared, so that when the audience broke up
 there was hardly watch chain to be seen.
 The prince also led the applause. No one
 presumed to applaud unless he first ap-
 proved. He would cry out at different times
 'Fgood, good," and then the audience would
 become frantic in it's approval. During the
 wait between the first and second parts the
 
 who had pleased him very much, and per
 sonally complimented him. The pianist fairly writhed with ecstasy as he bowed again and again before the prince. If he ever arrives at heavens gate and is admitted without any personal investigation into the abode of the blest he will never be happier than he was that evening. The prince ap- peared to have real fondness for the music. He followed with unfagging interest the rem dering of every number, and showed a real appreciation in his applause and approval. Yet 1t was so funny to watch him and his audience about him and think that this what number of English gentlemen had told me-was where the prince came to un- bend and to become Zone of the boys," as a member of the society described it. I never saw anyone surrounded with more formality, and there was not the faintest suggestion of familiarity from beginning to end
 Every person who attends this concert is required to sign his name in the visitors book. A glance over this book at any time will give list of some of the most promi- nent names in London. The prince himself signs the book. His name always heads the list, 8 vacant space being left for his name and those of his suite when he chances to come little late. The book is left at the upper end of the hall where the members come in. Quill pens are used. Nearly all of the autographs are written in bold, clear hands. The autograph of Albert Edward is written in very large characters and has sweeping splash of ink drawn back un- der it in defiant curve, This book con- tains most interesting collection of auto graphs of distinguished English people and also the names of the most prominent for eigners. There is not diplomat or states man of Europe who comes to London who \ does not go to some one of these smoking | concerts. When the concert is fairly under | way there is blue cloud of smoke which | hangs over the audience like fog. But | the hall is so large that the atmosphere l never becomes thick or heavy, at least SC as to be noticeable by the smokers below Ladies are never invited to attend. There ! are two boxes with curtains overlooking ! this hall. Into one of these the Princess | of Wales came one night for the purpos of gratifying her curiosity concerning thi ! rather unique form of entertainment. Bu ! these boxes were several feet above the stage I right in the region of the densest smoke l The princess found that the smoke was st ! thick that she began to choke. She was no ! able to remain over five minutes before sh' | betrayed her presence by cough, and ther ! she precipitately retired and has never ven ! tured upon the experiment since.
 1 It is an odd sight to see the leader of ar ! orchestra smoking as he leads, and to notic members of the orchestra catching up cigar I or cigarettes during slight rest in the ren dering of some intricate classical piece. Bu ! the smoking of the orchestra only appears t I stimulate them to greater nicety and deli I cacy, as they play with great del1eacy, ac curacy and expression